Conditioning work is an uphill climb for 49ers

Players who hear Mike Singletary’s fiery speeches swear that the man can make the earth move.

In this case, he did.

Singletary ordered that a hill be made adjacent to the 49ers practice fields. What had been a gentle slope is now padded with 2,500 tons of dirt. It takes a run of about 45 feet to get to the top – as the 49ers players will soon discover first-hand.

What does Singletary call his creation?

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“Pain,’’ he said Saturday.

Mt. Pain isn’t quite ready for climbers yet, but the plan is to use it for conditioning drills. Singletary used to run hills himself, as did his Hall-of-Fame teammate Walter Payton.

The 49ers’ Jerry Rice was famous for his sprint work in the hills of San Carlos.

Singletary said that athletes who trained that way “were a cut above some of the other competition around the league and had a long playing career.”

“It’s something you can’t get in the weight room. Something you can’t really get on the track,’’ he said. “It builds something that’s kind of a mystery.”

The hill is a fitting symbol for a mini-camp dominated by conditioning work. On Friday, players ran through a training circuit that included sprints, relays and other sweat-inducing competitions.

Singletary was pleased that the players who fared best in the drills also happen to be team leaders, citing Davis, Frank Gore, Shaun Hill and Alex Smith.

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Near the end of Friday’s session, for example, Singletary considered ending the drills early. But “Vernon was the first one to say, ‘No, we’re going to finish this,’ and everybody else chimed in,’’ Singletary said. “I think that says a lot about our team.”

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Spikes said the brutal conditioning work reminded him of his college days at Auburn. He said the practices were so tough that players sometimes vanished overnight. “When they didn’t show up, you knew they caught the next Greyhound Bus out of town,” Spikes said.

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In a policy change, Singletary is prohibiting his assistant coaches from talking to the media. That includes new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, who would ordinarily be a man in demand at his first minicamp.

“Jimmy Raye and his staff have a lot of work to do to get the guys caught up. I don’t want them thinking about trying to explain what the offense is and trying to give a rhyme or reason for this or that,’’ Singletary said. “Let’s get this show on the road. We got to go to work and get it done.”

Singletary said he would lift the ban “at an appropriate time” and make Raye and others available on a limited basis.

A year ago, Mike Martz addressed reporters once every two weeks – the minimum media access for NFL coordinators.

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Several players traced the 49ers’ defensive improvement late last season to settling on a 3-4 scheme. Under Mike Nolan, the 49ers alternated between a 4-3 and a 3-4.

Simplifying things allowed the 49ers to play faster and smarter. Over the final seven games, the 49ers allowed only 122 points – seventh best n the NFL during that span.

Defensive end Justin Smith said the 49ers got away from the “trick ‘em’’ stuff and just concentrated on doing it better.

“We know exactly what we are. We’re not shying away from what we do well,’’ Smith said.

He said the 49ers should be a top 10 defense with a shot at being top five.

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Receiver Josh Morgan is still rehabilitating from the groin injury that hampered much of his rookie season.

In the meantime, he hopes Isaac Bruce returns rather than retiring. Morgan called Bruce “a second father’’ because of all the advice he gave him during his first season in the NFL.

Morgan had high praise for former Virginia Tech teammate Jimmy Williams, who was an epic disappointment after being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers signed Williams after his release in hopes that he can compete for a safety spot.

Morgan recalled Williams as a hard-hitting defensive back with 4.37 speed.

“I always tell people that Jimmy Williams was the best corner I ever played against,’’ Morgan said.

Daniel Brown

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Go MS! I love it. Football is a battle of strength, will and emotion. Sing has the boys thinking right.

RP

Nice reporting Danny. Rohnert Park/Cotati representing.

Dave McLepd

Curahee! Maybe Singletary should have them run some hills in Tahoe. But beware of the curse of less testicle.

Scott

I love Sing. He is always feisty, always on edge. He will have this team ready to compete every week. I can’t wait until next season. Did anybody hear him on with Ralph & Tom I believe it was Friday? Ralph kept asking him about Warner and Sing let him have it pretty good. He doesn’t back down from anyone or anything and even though he might make some mistakes especially with the media (i.e. pulling his pants down) at least he has a reason that came with considerable thought behind pretty much anything he does.

Scott I can’t wait for wait for the season to start either. It’s been a long few (quite a few) years. I feel good about the upcoming season. Thanks for the article Dan. Also it is nice to read that our team leaders are the ones doing the best in team drills.

If you could let Coach Singletary know as an ex-player, track coach & national trainer, I invented what he needs for the long term it’s called ” The Savage Hill” although I do like the name “Pain”. The Cowboys are looking at it now. We demo at marathons, military, and sports leagues. Go to http://www.theehill.com & checkout the video. It’s only 26 feet high.

Nick
Pres. Mercury Speed Unlimited
703-303-4457

john

TRADE SMITH NOW WHILE HE STILL HAS A LITTLE BIT(NOT MUCH) OF VALUE!!!! HEH, HEH.

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